Another Personal Data Spill

The state of Massachusetts inadvertently sent out disks containing contact information for professional licensees -- people who have to apply for and obtain a state license to work in their chosen profession, like certified public accountants and health care administrators.

The names, addresses and, in some cases, Social Security numbers of more than 450,000 licensed professionals on 28 separate disks were recently distributed to various locations. Nearly all of the missing disks have been recovered with no information compromised. The one missing disk, which contains information on nursing home administrators, was reportedly sent to an agency in California and is still in transit.

The state blamed the gaffe on new software it's using to distribute the information. Apparently, the software was supposed to delete the Social Security numbers.

Seems this type of story is becoming disturbingly regular. How does your organization protect personal data? What safeguards do you take for your own personal data? Confide in me at [email protected].

Posted by Lafe Low on October 10, 2007


Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.